1 Samuel 17:43-45

43 He said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.

44 “Come here,” he said, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals!”

45 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.

1 Samuel 17:43-45 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST SAMUEL 17

This chapter relates how the armies of Israel, and of the Philistines, prepared for battle, and where, 1Sa 17:1-3, describes a champion of the Philistines, who defied the armies of Israel, 1Sa 17:4-11, and while he was so doing, it informs us that David came into the camp, and he heard his words, and signified to one and another his inclination to fight with him, 1Sa 17:12-30, which being reported to Saul, David was sent for by him, and much discourse passed between them about it, 1Sa 17:31-37 when we are told the manner in which he engaged with the Philistine, and the victory he obtained over him, 1Sa 17:38-51 upon which the Philistines fled, and Israel pursued them; and on account of this action David was taken notice of by Saul, and brought to court again, as the following chapter shows, 1Sa 17:52-58.

Cross References

• 1. 1 Samuel 24:14; 2 Samuel 3:8; 2 Samuel 9:8; 2 Kings 8:13
• 2. S Genesis 40:19; Revelation 19:17
• 3. 2 Samuel 21:10; Jeremiah 34:20; 1 Kings 20:10-11
• 4. S ver 6
• 5. Deuteronomy 20:1; 2 Samuel 22:33,35; 2 Chronicles 13:12; 2 Chronicles 14:11; 2 Chronicles 32:8; Psalms 20:7-8; Psalms 124:8; Hebrews 11:32-34
• 6. S ver 10